Rumblings of a marketing man on tour…

There are many.

But a picture speaking a thousand words n’all that, here’s a little visual clue as to why spring time in Sydney is somewhat agreeable….

Iain loves spring. And it has sprung…

Great word slack.  So descriptive…

Certainly not using it in the business sense, nor is it anything physical (ooer missus), but more in terms of my updating you on my travels in straaaaailyaaaa.

Well, to be honest . It’s just been ok.

Sydney on paper, scores well. Good centre of commerce, business opportunities, stunning weather, views, established ‘cool’ scene, plenty lovely bars, restaurants, clubs and although it has The Opera House, it does score fairly low on the cultural side.

The harbour and ‘that view’ are picture perfect, but Sydney itself is a 60% facsimile of a city like London. Sorry Sydney-siders I know that will not be a popular view, but despite trying I just find myself a little disconnected, unable to emotionally connect (jeez, get me to Oprah’s couch), with this as a place.

That said, I’m having a grand old time.

Great working with my very talented colleagues out here (unsung heros in my book), and I’m living the life with my apartment, dinners out every night, you know how it is. I’ve also been lucky enough to catch up with a couple of old agency mates (one more to go), caught up with someone I worked with donkeys years ago randomly in the six degrees of separation exercise (although out here it’s more like one or two), eaten in a lot of lovely eateries, etc, etc, etc…

This weekend however, the tour takes me to Melbourne. A city I love!

It has a cultural heart. It has a European soul. It has blue blood running through its lovely little veins. The weather might throw four seasons at you in one day, but by god it’s stunning. When I was here three years ago, I was there for about five days, two of which I sadly spent bedridden with a horrible flu (my travelling companion found plenty to stay occupied with however!).

So, it’s off to see Pinky and Princess Jay, who is the little sis of one of my closest high school chums. They’ve prepared the West Wing for me, and I can’t wait to see them. More tonight on the Kodak moments of the past few days, a jesus racing van (seriously!), Alf Stewart, the odd Opera House snap, and a few of the reasons why I do like Sydney…

Iain is ready for Melbourne!

So, quick round up of  some of todays bitties…

• Twice now I’ve seen a massive cruise ship sail up the harbour. If you are in the right spot, it goes under the bridge (looking like it won’t fit), fills all the sea / room between the bridge and the Opera House, then looks as though it’s going to crash into the Opera House. It doesn’t, sails on past…
• Had some lovely food. Although reasonably priced, the $2.55 I was getting to the pound in 2006 was more agreeable than the $1.80 I am getting now…
• There don’t seem to be many fat people here, the outdoorsy way of life helps with that
• North Sydney Olympic pool (2 mins from me by the water) is fresh water. And the people who swim there take their swimming seriously (will leave my armbands at home on Monday)
• The TV here is a mix of British and US. As the non-sporting events rarely pull in more than a million or two viewers, it’s why there is so little home grown TV
• When the sun shines, the harbour area is one of the most beautiful in the world (the hot men wearing little help)
• The way Aussies pronounce ‘Australia; is strail-yaaa (two syllables, very drawn out finish)
• The people are friendly, and will talk to you for hours
• There are loads of Brits here. If we all went home, the creative industry (for one) would most likely fold
• Sir Martin Sorrell just described this place as a backwater. Whilst he may have a point from a business perspective, you can’ t deny the work life balance is (generally) better

So, another sunset with the harbour bridge, opera house and water in my midst. This time from the north shore, looking over the skyscrapers. Just stunning, cannot believe how lucky I am for the few weeks I am here!

Iain is off out for a gentle Saturday evening…